The Old Boys

As the small nations tested their uncertain new strength at the U.N. last week, the two giants reacted in their separate ways. The U.S. was seen but not often heard. Russia's Nikita Khrushchev was both. Determined to be one of the boys, he was all over the place, to the neutrals' mingled amazement and annoyance.

Grinning like Peck's Bad Boy, Khrushchev banged his fists during U.S. Delegate James Wadsworth's speech opposing the admission of Red China. He found time for tea and cookies with Eleanor Roosevelt, played host to a clutch of Algerian rebel leaders and gave their regime de facto recognition. He put a figurative arm around everyone in sight, from Nehru to Sukarno, and whirled into and out of receptions given by half a dozen small countries. His most bewildering display was at a big shindig in the Soviet Union's Park Avenue mansion, where Khrushchev greeted an astonished Dag Hammarskjold with an affectionate bear hug. Explaining his antic behavior to a crony, Hungary's ill-starred Janos Kadar, Khrushchev said: "In the Caucasus Mountains they have a custom--while a man is under your roof he is your friend, but when he goes outside you can slit his throat."

Small Dividends. For all his buoyancy, Khrushchev's only concrete achievement of the week resulted from an afternoon visit with Britain's Prime Minister Harold Macmillan. Afterward, Khrushchev told newsmen that he had Macmillan's assurance "that a summit conference would take place" early next year when the U.S. had a new President. Pending such a meeting, if held on schedule, he piously promised that Russia would make no effort to change the status of Berlin.

Khrushchev's assiduous wooing of the small nations paid some dividends. Though they were still skittish about his attacks on Dag Hammarskjold, some of them listened attentively to Khrushchev's demand that the U.N. be redesigned and headed by a triumvirate of Western, Communist and neutral powers. In typically tentative fashion, Nehru argued, "The structure of the U.N. when it started was weighted in favor of Europe and the Americas. Although the executive should not be weakened, probably some structural changes would be desirable."

Frankly Puzzled. In contrast to Khrushchev's gambols, the U.S. seemed strangely immobile. "We hardly ever exchange views with the Americans," said a Malagasy delegate. "It's regrettable that your diplomats are not more active." Africans wondered why they were hearing no more from U.S. delegates of the five-point plan for African development announced by President Eisenhower last month. Most were frankly puzzled by U.S. failure to entertain visiting potentates or even to mingle freely at the almost nightly parties and receptions.

Since Eisenhower's brief visit, there has been no American at the U.N. to match the glamour or personal flamboyance of a Khrushchev, Macmillan, Nehru or Nkrumah. Secretary of State Christian Herter and U.N. Ambassador James Wadsworth doggedly maintain the U.S. position in debates, but have shown little inclination for genial politicking in the Delegates Lounge. The U.S. aloofness was a deliberate and official policy. The argument: with the heavy agenda of the 15th General Assembly, the U.S. hoped to set a lofty example of hard work.

At week's end there were signs that the U.S. was belatedly reversing its stand. From Washington came rush invitations asking the leaders of 16 new nations to the White House. Somebody might have thought of it sooner.

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